Kiln



KILN

Filed Sept; 22, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet l In/wanton H. M. ROBERTSON Oct. 18,1932.

KILN

Filed sept. 22. 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 MJ .wm n wn Oct. 18, 1932. H, M.RQBERTSQN 1,883,400

KILN

Filed sept. 22. 1930 6 sheets-sheet 5 E 5 Y n @521` HUM C1 Hornet# Oct.18, 1932. H. M. ROBERTSON 1,883,400

KILN

Filed Sept. 22, 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Fia. 4

Oct. 18, 1932. H. M. ROBERTSON KILN Filed Sept. 22. 1930 6 Sheets-Sheet5 Oct. 18, 1932.

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Patented ocr. 18, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ,HARRY M. ROBERTSON,F CLEVELAND, yOHIO KILN Application lcd September 22, 1930. Serial No.483,530.

vide a tunnel kiln having an improved baille which extends throughoutthe heating zone and which is of such construction that effectivecirculation of heat or heated air and saving of fuel consumptionresults.

Another object of the invention is to construct a tunnel kilnhaving ateither side of the ware space combustion chambers each of lwhich isprovided throughout its length with a baille constructed and arranged todirect the products of combustion below the ware, whereby such productsare' circulated through the ware upwardly and then downwardly tosimultaneously heat the inner and outer portions of the ware.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improvedtunnel kiln inwhich the heating medium is supplied to the ware space below the .waresupports as they move through the heating zone of the kiln and thesupports are constructed to lpermit cir-l culation of the mediumupwardly through the central portions of the ware and downwardly incontact with the outer portions thereof, whereby all portions of theware are simultaneously and substantially uniformly burned. i V

Another object ofthe invention is to construct a tunnel kiln in whichthe inner side walls for thecombustion chambers are of an improvedconstruction to effect a circulation of the products upwardly throughthe central portion of the ware and downwardly in contact with the outerportions thereof to burn the ware in an eilicient manner with- 'minimumexpenditure of fuel and minimum Waste of unburnt or overburnt ware. l yAnother object of the invention is'to provide for the combustionchamber'of a tunnel kiln an improved wall section or member in whichadequate circulation of the products w of combustion takes place, andprovlsion is v'cate spaced uprights suitably secured tothe made towithstand relatively high temperatures for a long period of time.

Another object of the invention is' to provide for the combustionchamber of a tunnel kiln a double walled member which adapts itself foruse in forming a muille,J

- semi-Inutile or open fire kiln.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in theart to which my invention relates from the following de- Y scriptiontaken in connection with lthe accompanying drawings.

Figs. 1 and la together are vertical sections through a kiln embodyingmy invention.

Figs. 2 and 2a together are horizontal sec- 35 tions through the kiln.

Fig. 3 is a transverse section,A partly on the' line 3-8 and partly onthe line 3a-3a of Fig. 2a. i

Fig. 4 is a section on the line 4--4 of 7c' 2a.

ig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 of 2, showing a loaded carrier in theware space.

Fig'. 6 is a transverse section, partly on' the line 6-6 vand partly onthe line 6a--6a 75 of Fig. 2. Y

Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7-7 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of one ofthe baffle wall members orsections.

` Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9--9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the member-or section.

Fig. 11` is aside elevation ofa ware carrier.

Fig. 12 is a plan view of a ware carrier.

Inl the drawings, 1 indicates a plurality of transverse steelbeamsadapted to be laid on a suitable iooring or foundation. 2, 3, indi#beams v1, the uprights 3 being connected by -horizontal channels 4. Thechannels 4 and beams 5, which rest on the uprights 2, form a support forelevated beams 6 extending- 'transversely inwardly from the uprights 3.

The beams 6 are of a length to leave a wide space betweenl their innerends for a purpose which will latexappear.- All of the parts abovereferred to are rigidly secured together to form a supporting frame workfor the kiln walls which rest on the beams extending 6 and against theuprights 3,`the latter being connected at their upper ends by tie rods 7in a well known manner. 8, 8a, indicate sheet metal plates laid on thebeams 6 and against the uprights 3 to form a bottom and outer facingwalls for the refractory material, bricks, slabs and blocks used in theconstruction of the kiln side walls 9, to form a space from end to endof the structure and constituting contiguous heating and coolingsections or zones for the ware to be treated. The lower portions of theside walls 9 are extended inwardly to form at either side of the warespace benches 10. The benches 10 provide between them a relativelynarrow passage through which portions of the ware carriers 11 (see Fig.5) extend. vBy supporting the walls of the kiln on the elevated beams 6,the frames 12 and wheels 13 .therefor of the carriers 11 may beconveniently mounted below the benches 10 exteriorly of the kiln toprevent deterioration and .distortion of these parts due to heat. By

preference, the carrier wheels 13 run on tracks 14 provided on the beams1.y

The outer portionA 9a of the side walls 9 may be formed of insulatingmaterial, such as diatomaceous earth. |The inner portions 96 of the sidewalls anc` benches 10 are preferably formedof fire brick. On top of theside Walls 9 are refractory members 15 forming abutments for an arch15', also formed of refractory material, such as lire bricks. Thatportion of the arch, which is over the heating zone, is preferably ofsectional constructionsee Figs. 3, 4 and 5-and may be insulated by' acovering 15a of diatomaceous earth. The portion of the arch, which isover the cooling zone, is constructed to form a muie 15b (see Figs. 1, 6and 7).

16 indicates the heating or burning zone extending from a point adjacentthe inlet end A.of the kiln, indicated at 17, to fire boxes or primarycombustion chambers 18 disposed at -either side of the ware space orpassage. 19

indicates the cooling zone and 20 indicates an intermediate zone betweenthe heating zone 16 and the cooling zone 19. The cooling zone extendsfrom the zone 20 tothe outlet for the AWare, indicated at 21.

The inlet 17 and outlet 21 may be provided 'with doors (not shown) andtracks and transfer platforms or other means may beprovided forconveying the-carriers 11 from the outlet to the inlet for -re-entryinto the kiln after being re-loaded.

Adjacent the inlet end at either side of the ware space, I provide aplurality of spaced pillars 22, which tend to prevent How of cold airinto the heating zone.

23 indicates the secondary combustion chambers (constructed ashereinafter set forth), extending along either side of the ware space,preferably throughout the heatmg zone 16, from the walls 20a forming theboxes may be constructed to burn coal or similar fuel material, powderedcoal, gas or oil. The construction shown is adaptedfor the combustion ofoil or" gas, but the equipment therefor is not shown. In theconstruction shown, the walls 18a of each box provide sides, a t'op 185,a bottom 180, a front wall 18d and an upwardly inclined rear wall 18e,which directs the products of combustion upwardly into the adiacentcombustion chamberl 23. The front wall 18d is provided with an opening18 into or through which the fuel burner extends.

24 indicates a baile or wall along either side of the heating Zone 16and extending from the upper surface of the adjacent bench 10 near itsfree edge to the arch 15 and forming with the adjacent bench, side wall9 and arch 15 throughout the length of the heating zone,'

one of the secondary combustion chambers 23 already referred to. Eachbaffle comprises a plurality of sections or members 24a disposed side byside, their lower ends being set or locked between the side walls of achannel 25 formed in and extending longitudinally of the adjacent benchl0 and their upper ends resting against the face of a depending por--tion 15bof the outer arch section 15x, to which face the baflie member24a may be sealed in a well known manner. Asl the top surfaces of thebenches 10 form the bottoms of the combustion chambers 23, and aresubjected to high temperatures, these surfaces are formed of high heatresisting refractory material.

Each baHle member comprises an integral structure formedA of fire clayin any desired manner. Each such member consists of a main wall 26, sidewalls 27 and intermediate walls 28 spaced from 'each other and the sidewalls 27, arranged perpendicular to and extending from end to end ofsaid main wall 26 and a supplemental wall 29 of less length than themain wall 26 and connected to the Walls 27, 28, to bridge the channelsbetween them. The upper and lower edges of the wall 29 terminatepreferably substantially equal distances from the upper and lower edgesof the walls 27 28, and by preference ly in contact with outer portionsofthe ware,-

so that the -inner andeuter portionsof the ware are simultaneously andsubstantially uniformly subjected to the heating medium. By making thesupplemental plate 29 of less length than the plate 26,*the channelsbetween the walls 27, 28, are open at their upper and lower ends toinsure free circulation ot the' gases, as indicated by the arrows m',which circulation is enhanced bythe iow of the products through theports 30. The ports 30 'above referred to serve two purposes, that is,they provide for the flow of the products of ,combustion and gases intotheware space as already described and those ports in the walls 26 ofthe baffle members near the inlet end of the heating Zone provide forthe discharge of the chilled gases and products of combustion from theware `space into the combustion chambers whereby they may be withdrawnfrom the latter under .the influence of the suction means to be laterde.

scribed. 1

The baiiie members are interlocked one with another, by means of tongueand groove elements, one side wall being formed with a longitudinaltongue 27a and the other side wall being formed with a groove 27 b.

Within and at spaced points throughout each combustion chamber 23 Iprovide transversely arranged checkered walls 23a, which tends to retardthe flow of the products of combustion, gases and heat to therebyprevent the formation of a current through the chamber under theiniiuence ofthe suction means (to be later referred to) and permit thesemediums to flowinto the heating zone.

bodfykmember 33 on which one/or more refractory`members 34 rest. 35indicates a plurality oftransver'sely arranged, vertical slabs in spacedrelation and supported .on the members 34, and supporting the ware sup;ports 31 in the manner above described: As shown in Fig.`12, 4the waresupports 31 on each carrier comprise two rows ofslabs or plates formedof refractory material resting on the vertical slabs 35 in spacedparallel relation to provide an unobstructed passage 32 for the productsof combustion from end to end of the batch or charge of ware onthevsupports 31.

, The alls 20a at opposite sides of the in- 'haust thereof.

o ructing H the walls 20aas described, thidiie as a sa.

l t t reservoir or storage for heat so t a iware passing from theheating zone 16 to the cobl ing zone 19 is not subjected to a suddendrop,\\

in temperature and they also operate to prevent drift of the products ofcombustion and ,the gases into the cooling zone 19.

36 indicates a plurality of conduits leading from the outer end portionsof the combustion chambers, through the side walls 9, two conduits foreach' chamber being shown. The conduits 36 are connected to a dischargemain 36a and the latter is connected to the' intake side'of a suctionmeans '37, such for example a power driven fan mounted in a cas ing 38the function of which is to reduce the atmospheric pressure inthe outerend ortions of the two combustion chambers 23 and the heating zone^toinduce'a flow of the products of combustion through both the chambersand the zone and the dischargeor ex:

39 indicates a plurality of nozzles leading into each combustion chamberv23, the purppse thereof being to supply air for coui-v bustion purposesaccording to the conditions desired in the ware space. The air supplyfor the nozzles 39 comprise conduits -39a connected to a main 40 whichleads from the outlet of a power driven suction means 41 to be laterreferred to. also connected by conduits 42 with thesoutletforthe casing38, so'that when desired the products of combustion exhausted from theinlet end of the'chambers 23 may be i'eturned to the Mchamber-23 at apoint adjacent the fire boxes 18. Each conduit 36 and 39 is providedwith a valve or damper to- The conduits 39a are i control-the'owtherethrough in relation to each other; the main 40 may be providedwith a valve to control the iiow of air to the conduits.39a; the main42, may have a valve 42a to regulate the iow of the products through itto the nozzles or to discharge them into a'chimney 426. The conduits atopposite sides of the are connected by a pipe 43, 43a, indicate upperand .lower 'conduits extending along either side of the cooling zone 19above the benches and in opposed relation to the ware as it movesthrough the zone. Each lower conduit 43a,rests on the adjacent bench 10;each upper conduit 43 rests on a refractory support 44 whichsupported onthe adjacent lower conduit 43a.

The portions of the conduits 43, 43a, near the l outlet 21 maybe ormedofmetal; the remaining portions comprise sections formed of refractorymaterial, such as fire clay. The outer end of the conduits 43, 43a, areconnected to air intake pipes 45; the inner ends of these conduits areconnected to air discharge pipes 46. The pipes 46 are connected in asuitable manner to a conduit 47 which in turn is connected to the intakeof the suction means 4l comprising a power driven fan. The suction means4l induces a flow of air into the intakes 45 and through the conduits43, 43a, this air serving to absorb heat units due to heat radiatingfrom the ware as it moves through the zone 19, whereby the Ware iscooled suilicicntly to be discharged from the kiln; lThe mufile 15b isprovided at its inner end With an outlet 48 which is connected tov theconduit 47' so that the heat in the ymuiile may be Withdrawn therefrom.

The arch l5 may be provided with one or more openings 49 or pyrometersand also a Ventilating opening 50 controlled by a damper 5l. The arch l5for the Ware space betvveen the heating zone 16 and the inlet .17 may beprovided with an outlet 52 connected to a suction means (not shown) orone of the suction means already-referred to, so thatA cold air may beexhausted from this space.

Suitable means may be provided for sealing the zones 16, 19, 20, toprevent the escape of heat or intake of excess air into the coolingzones; for example, the vertical sides of the benches 10 throughout theheating zone may be provided with projecting ribs 53 which (zo-operatewith the members 34 to prevent flow downwardly of the products ofcombustion and heat; also the body member 33 is provided on its sideswith metal members 54 having depending flanges which run in sand orwater held in troughs 56 to effect. sealing of the Ware space.

By regulating the air supplied to the chambers 23 the combustion ofthefuel therein may be regulated at will, and Where the bafile isconstructed to provide open iiring of the ware, as herein shown, theregulation of the air supply will also provide combustion Within theheating zone when desired.

By omitting the ports 30 inthe Walls 26 of the baiile sections, thecombustion chambers constitute mufiles for the products of combustion;and where a semi-mulile type of kiln is desired, any desired number ofthe baiile members 24a may be of the muiiie type (that is the Walls 26are not formed With ports 30) and any desired number` of the remainingmembers may be provided with ports 30. By this arrangement, the productsof combustion Will not Contact with the Ware while passing through 'aportion of the heating zone.

To those skilled inthe art to which my in- 'vention' relates manychanges in construe, tion and widely differing embodiments andapplications of the invention will suggest themselves without departingfrom the spirit -and scope'of the invention. My disclosures and thedescription herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be inany sense limiting.

What I claim is:

l. In a tunnel kiln having side walls andj an arch forming contiguousheating and 'cooling zones through which ware moves, carriers for movingthe ware through Said zones, benches extending throughout said heatingzone at either side thereof, a sectional baile extending from each benchto the arch throughout said heating zone and forming with said bench,arch and adjacent side wall a combustion chamber, and a fire boxincorporated in each side wall and forming a primary combustion chambercommunicating with the inner end portion of one of the first mentionedcombustion chambers.

2. In a tunnel kiln having side Walls and an arch forming contiguousheating and cooling'zones through which Ware moves, carriers for movingthe. ware through said zones, benches extending throughout said heatingzone at either side thereof, and a sectional baille extending from eachbench to the arch throughout said heating zone and forming With saidbench, arch and adjacent side Wall a combustion chamber, a ire boxincorporat-` ed in each side Wall and forming a primary combustionchamber communicating with the inner end portion of one of the firstmentioned combustion chambers, and suction .means connected with theouter end portion of eachl combustion chamber. v

3.1In a tunnel kiln having side Walls and an arch forming contiguousheating and cooling zonesthrough which ware moves, carriers for movingthe Ware through said zones, benches extending throughout said heatingzone at either side thereof, the upper surface. of each bench beingformed along or adjacentits inner side with a longitudinal channel, asectional'balle having its lower end fitted into said channel andextending from the bench to said arch throughout said heating zone andforming With said bench, arch and the adjacent side Wall a combustionchamber, and primary combustion chambers incorporated in said sidewallsand each com municating with one of the first mentioned combustionchambers. l

4.' In a tunnel kiln having side Walls and an arch forming contiguousheating land cooling zones, carriers for moving ware through said zones,benches extending throughout said heating zone at either side l thereof,a baille extending from each bench to vthe arch throughout said heatingzone, said baffle comprising a plurality of sections having outer Wallsco-operating with the adjacent bench, arch and'side wall to form a comlbustion cha-mbernand each section having side members abutting the sidemembers yof ad.-

joiningl sections and an inner Wall supported on said side members, andprimary combustion chambers each communicating with the l inner endportion of one of the first menchamber and each section having sidemembers in interlocking relation with the side members of adjoiningsections and an inner wall supported on said side members, andpricooling zones,

mary combustion chambers each communicating with the inner end portionof one of the first mentioned combustion chambers. A

6. In a tunnel kiln having side walls vand an arch forming contiguousheating and cooling zones, carriers through said zones, benchesextending throughout said heating zone at either side thereof, a baffleextending from each bench to the archthroughout said heating zone, saidbaiile comprising a plurality of sections having outer wallsco-operatingwiththe adjacent bench, arch and side wall to form acombustion chamber and each section having side members abutting theside members of adj oining sections, intermediate members spaced fromeach other and said side members and an inner wall supported on saidmembers, and primary combustion chambers each communicating with theinner end of one of the irst mentioned combustionchambers.

7. In a tunnel kiln having side walls and an arch forming contiguousheating and carriers for moving ware benches extending throughout saidheating zone at either side thereof a baie extending from each bench tothrough said zones,

the arch throughout said heating zone, said, baiiie comprising aplurality of sections hav ing'outer walls co-operating with the adjacentbench, arch and side wall to form a combustion chamber and cach sectionhaving side members abutting the side members of adjoining sections andan innerwall supported on said side members and terminating at pointsremote from the upper and lower ends of said side members, and primarycombustion chambers each connected to the inner end portion of one ofthe first mentioned com-I bustion chambers.

8.A In a tunnel kiln-having side walls and an arch forming contiguousheating andA cooling zones, carriers for moving ware through said zones,benches extending throughout said heating .zone at either side thereof,a baiiie extending from each bench to the arch throughout said heatingzone, said baie comprisinga plurality of sections having outer wallsco-operating with the adja- :Eor moving ware cent bench, arch and sidewallto form a comv .bustion chamber and formed with `openings throughwhich the products of combustion circulate into theheating zone, andeach section havin-0` side members abuttingthe side members 0I adjoiningsectionsand an inner wall supported on saidside `members and terminatingat points remote from the upper and lower ends of said'side members, andprimary combustion chambers each communithe first mentioned combustionchambers.

9. In atunnel kiln having side walls and eating with the inner endportion of one of A an arch 4forming contiguous 'heating .and'

cooling 'zones, carriers for moving ware through said' zones,l benchesextending throughout said heating zone at' either side thereof, a baiileextending from each bench to the arch throughout said heating zone, said'baiile comprising a plurality of sections having outer wallsco-o'perating with. the adjacent bench, arch and side wall to form aicombustion chamber and formed with ings through which the products ofcom 'i tioncirculate into the heating'zone, and each section having sidemembers abutting-the v side membersof adjoining sections and an innerwall supported on said side members and terminating at points remotefrom the upper and lower ends of said` side' members, said `openingsbeing located below the lower edge of said inner member, and primarycombustion chambers each communicating with .the inner end portion'ofone of the irst mentioned combustion chambers.

' 10. In a tunnel kiln having side walls and an arch forming contiguousheating' and cooling zones, carriers for moving ware through said zones,combustion chambers extending along either side of said -heating zone,

the inner wall of each of said combustion 'j chamber comprising a baileinclined upwardly and outwardly at its upper portion and formed with aplurality of openings in its lower portion, and primary combustionchambers each communicating with the inner end portion of one of thefirst mentioned combustion chambers. j

11. In a tunnel kiln having side walls and an arch forming contiguousheating and cooling zones, carriers for moving ware through said Zones,benches f extending throughout said heating zone at either side thereof,a baiile extending from each bench to the arch throughout said heatingzone and forming with the adjacent side wall andbench a combustionchamber, each said bale being formed with a plurality of openings inVits lower portion, and "primary combustion chambers each communicatingwith the inner end portion .of one of the iirst mentioned combustionchambers.

12. In a tunnel kiln, having side walls and an arch forming contiguousheating and cooling zones through which ware is moved,

benches extending throu hout said heating zone at either side thereo abaiiie extending from each bench to the arch and forming with the bench,Yarch and side Wall a combustion chamber, each said baille being formedin its lower portion'with an opening through `which products ofcombustion circulate to said heating zone, and carriers having spacedvertical members and a Ware support thereon above said opening in saidbaliie. 13. In a tunnel kiln, having side Walls and an arch formingcontiguous heating and eool- -ing zones through which Ware is moved,

benches extending throughoutJ said heating an arch forming contiguousheating, cooling and m-termedlate zones through which ware moves,carriers for moving the ware through said zones, benches extendingthroughout said heating zone at either side thereof, a bale extendingfrom each bench to said arch throughout said heating zone and formingwith said bench, arch and adjacent side Wall a combustion chamber, theWalls of said intermediate zone forming a heat reservoir, and means forsupplying heat to' thel limer -ends of said combustion chambers.

v 15. In a tunnel kiln having side walls andan arch'forming contiguousheating and coolmg zones through which Ware moves, carriers for movingthe Ware through said zones, benches extending throughout said heatingzone at either side thereof, a bathe extending from each bench to thearch throughout said heating zone and forming with said bench, arch gand adjacent side wall a combustion chamber, means for supplying heat tothe innel; end portion of each said combustion chamber, and suctionmeans connected with the outer end portion of each combustion chamberand having its discharge or outlet` connected to the inner end portionof each said chamber.

16. -In a tunnel kiln having side wallsand an arch forming contiguousheating and cooling zones, carriers for moving Ware through said zones,benches extending throughout said heating zone at either sidev thereof,a bale extending from each bench to the arch throughout said heatingzone and cooperat ing-with the adjacent bench, arch and side wall toform a combustion chamber, said baies being formed with openings,through which the products of combustion circulate into the heatingzone and permit the discharge thereof from the outer end of said zone,means communicating with the inner end portion of each combustionchamber to supply heat thereto, and suction means connected to the outerend of each'chamber, the outletfrom said means being connected to theinner ends of said chambers.

17. In a tunnel kiln having side walls and an arch forming contiguousheating and cool- HARRY M. ROBERTSON.

